Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wait for someone/something in front, to intercept: The core meaning describes the action of positioning oneself ahead of someone or something's expected path to meet, stop, or confront them before they arrive at a destination.
   • To anticipate and act proactively: A figurative extension meaning to foresee a trend, development, or event and take action in advance to prepare for it, gain an advantage, or mitigate its impact.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (to intercept):

  • Cảnh sát đã đón đầu bọn tội phạm tại ngã tư. (The police intercepted the criminals at the intersection.)
  • Anh ấy ra sân bay đón đầu đoàn khách. (He went to the airport to meet the guest delegation head-on.)

• Figurative meaning (to anticipate):

  • Công ty này luôn biết cách đón đầu xu hướng thị trường. (This company always knows how to anticipate market trends.)
  • Chúng ta cần đón đầu những thách thức mới. (We need to proactively address new challenges.)

Advanced Usage

• "đón đầu cơ hội": to anticipate and seize an opportunity.

  • Doanh nghiệp thành công là doanh nghiệp biết đón đầu cơ hội. (A successful business is one that knows how to seize opportunities proactively.)

• "đón đầu thị hiếu": to anticipate consumer tastes/preferences.

  • Nhà thiết kế phải đón đầu thị hiếu của giới trẻ. (Designers must anticipate the preferences of young people.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đón (v): to meet, to welcome, to receive. A more general term for meeting someone.
• Chặn đầu (v): to block, to intercept. Often implies a more forceful or obstructive interception.
• Tiên phong (adj, v): pioneering, to pioneer. Shares the proactive spirit of the figurative "đón đầu" but focuses on being first rather than anticipating.

Synonyms

• Dự đoán và hành động trước (v): to predict and act in advance. (Closest synonym for the figurative sense).
• Chặn đứng (v): to block, to stop. (Closer to the literal, intercepting sense).
• Tiên liệu (v): to foresee, to anticipate. (Focuses on the prediction aspect).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Đi trước đón đầu": A common reinforcing phrase meaning "to go ahead and intercept/anticipate." It emphasizes proactive and early action.
  • Muốn thành công trong kinh doanh, phải biết đi trước đón đầu. (To succeed in business, you must know how to get ahead of the curve.)
• "Đón đầu sóng gió": to brace for/meet difficulties head-on (literally: to intercept the storm).
  • Chúng tôi sẵn sàng đón đầu mọi sóng gió. (We are ready to meet all difficulties head-on.)

1. Wait (for someone) in front (to stop his advancẹ..)
   • Đón đầu quân giặc
     To wait in front for the enemy